Title: Parvovirus Is Most Deadly To Very Young Shih Tzu Puppies
Author: Connie Limon
I am so surprised at how many pet owners and would be pet/Shih
Tzu owners do not know which vaccinations are mandatory for Shih
Tzu puppies. In this article I will address only the importance
of "extra" protection against the deadly canine disease of
"parvovirus.
Canine parvovirus is everywhere in the environment. Puppies
and this does include Shih Tzu puppies are extra susceptible to
parvovirus. The disease usually hits puppies the hardest,
although adults can contract the parvovirus disease the same,
your Shih Tzu puppy is most vulnerable. It is wise to protect
your Shih Tzu puppy against this debilitating, sometimes deadly
canine disease.
Parvovirus is shed in the feces of an infected Shih Tzu or any
canine species. If another Shih Tzu or any other canine species
comes into oral contact with the infected feces, they become
inoculated with the virus. The degree to which your Shih Tzu
puppy is affected will depend upon its own individual immunity
to the disease. If your Shih Tzu puppy's mother was properly
vaccinated, she will transfer immunity to parvovirus in the
colostrums or first milk. I always vaccinate all my adult Shih
Tzu each year.
The maternal antibodies transferred through the Shih Tzu
mother's milk to the Shih Tzu puppies may be present in the Shih
Tzu puppy for up to 20 – 22 weeks. This does not mean the Shih
Tzu puppy will be absolute immune to the parvovirus this entire
time.
Most of the Shih Tzu puppy's maternal antibodies to other
viruses commonly vaccinated against have disappeared by about 12
weeks, however, the maternal parvovirus antibodies do persist
longer.
It is wise to ensure your Shih Tzu puppy is adequately
protected against parvovirus no matter when its mother's
antibodies begin to wear off. Your Shih Tzu puppy needs to be
vaccinated every three weeks starting at about 8 weeks, until it
is 20 – 22 weeks old. Keep your older Shih Tzu up-to-date on
vaccines as well. As the Shih Tzu ages, or any canine species,
their immune system may become impaired and this may leave them
more susceptible to diseases.
In addition to proper vaccination of your Shih Tzu puppy, you
also need to keep young Shih Tzu puppies isolated from other
dogs and out of parks where they may come in contact with
infected feces, until they have completed their series of
vaccinations. This decreases their chances of being exposed to
parvovirus.
Parvovirus Signs:
•Loss of appetite
•Lack of energy
•Vomiting or diarrhea (the vomitus or diarrhea may be bloody).
Since these signs can indicate many diseases, you will need to
see your vet if your Shih Tzu puppy shows any of these. Young
Shih Tzu puppies, less than three months of age, can become
dehydrated quickly, and die easily if not treated promptly.
There is a special test your vet can perform for the parvovirus.
As of this date, there is no drug available that kills
parvovirus once the animal is infected. The Shih Tzu or any
other canine animal will have to rid itself of the virus. In
other words, once a Shih Tzu puppy has contracted parvovirus,
the virus will need to runs it course through the Shih Tzu
puppy's system. Supportive care is the main treatment of
parvovirus infections.
Sick Shih Tzu puppies need to be given fluids if they are
dehydrated. Secondary bacterial infections may also result. If
an infection develops, antibiotics need to be administered to
fight it. Sometimes it is necessary to be kept in a vet
hospital setting throughout the course of the disease. Other
times, the disease can be managed at home. It depends upon the
severity and the recommendations of your vet.
Treatment for parvovirus may take a couple days up to several
weeks. This also depends upon the individual animal's immune
system, its age and the severity of the case.
It is highly important to clean up the living quarters of a
Shih Tzu who has had parvovirus. Parvovirus can exist in the
environment for long periods of time. Washing the Shih Tzu's
area with bleach and water in a 1:30 dilution will kill the
virus. Throw away all feeding and drinking bowls, and all toys
that came in contact with the sick Shih Tzu. Bedding can be
saved if you will wash it in the bleach solution, but better to
just throw it all away to prevent further spread of the
infection. Your Shih Tzu can be re-infected as well.
Discard all feces promptly, wear gloves and rinse your own
hands with the bleach solution. Humans can spread the disease
on their hands if they touch the feces. Very small amounts of
fecal material on the Shih Tzu's coat can contain large numbers
of viral organisms and can easily be transmitted to other dogs.
Although there are a number of diseases Shih Tzu puppies and
other canine breeds are susceptible to acquiring, the parvovirus
is the most deadly to very young Shih Tzu puppies. Take all
precautions necessary to keep your Shih Tzu puppy safe from this
disease.
Author: Connie Limon, Breeder of pet and show Shih Tzu
prospects in a variety of colors. Visit us at
http://www.staingla
newsletters. Puppies are sold with health guarantee and are
bred from champion bloodlines. Also visit our collection of
Shih Tzu articles at http://shihtzuartic
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
About The Author: Author: Connie Limon, Breeder of pet and
show Shih Tzu prospects in a variety of colors. Visit us at
http://www.staingla
newsletters. Puppies are sold with health guarantee and are
bred from champion bloodlines. Also visit our collection of
Shih Tzu articles at http://shihtzuartic
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